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A valid food frequency questionnaire for measuring dietary fish intake
Rosalie K Woods1, Rachel M Stoney, Paul D Ireland
1Department of Epidemiology, Asthma and Clinical Immunology, Central and Eastern Clinical School and Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Australia. rosalie.woods@med.monash.edu.au
Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|March 15, 2002
Summary
Food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) can assess dietary fish intake, a factor in chronic disease prevention. This study validates FFQ accuracy by comparing plasma fatty acid levels with fish consumption data in adults.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Biomarkers of Diet
- Chronic Disease Prevention
Background:
- High fish consumption is linked to reduced chronic disease risk.
- Food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) are commonly used to estimate dietary fish intake in epidemiological studies.
- Validating FFQ against objective biomarkers is crucial for accurate dietary assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relationship between plasma fatty acid profiles and dietary fish intake assessed by a semiquantitative FFQ.
- To evaluate the utility of FFQ in reflecting omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid status.
Main Methods:
- A semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was administered to 174 community-dwelling adults (aged 26-49 years).
- Plasma fatty acid percentages were analyzed from venous blood samples.
- Linear regression modeling was used to assess the association between FFQ-reported fish intake and plasma fatty acid levels.
Main Results:
- Total non-fried fish intake significantly predicted plasma levels of n-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and the n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio.
- Steamed, grilled, or baked fish intake was a significant predictor of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels.
- Total fish intake predicted plasma n-6 fatty acid levels.
Conclusions:
- The semiquantitative FFQ demonstrates utility in ranking individuals by their likely plasma n-3, DHA, and n-6 fatty acid intake and n-6:n-3 ratio.
- FFQ can serve as a practical tool for assessing fish intake when biological markers are not feasible.
- This validation supports the use of FFQ in large-scale nutritional studies investigating fish consumption and health outcomes.